Photo Credit: CATCH Trust
Empowering Township Youth Through Sport and Social Development
The CATCH Trust is excited to celebrate the start of the new cricket season at its Centre of Cricket Excellence in Khayelitsha, Western Cape by showcasing the next generation of township cricket talent. Join the team on Friday, 11 October for a day of exciting youth cricket as boys and girls from CATCH Trust display their skills on the Centre’s world-class field and indoor facility.
As part of CATCH Trust’s ongoing mission to use cricket as a vehicle for social change, attendees will learn more about the Trust’s impactful community initiatives, including the Women’s Empowerment Programme and CATCH Coaches Academy. These programmes aim to not only improve cricket skills but also focus on holistic personal development, gender equity, and community upliftment.
CATCH – which stands for ‘Cricket and Talent Centres of Hope’ – is centred on the belief that ‘Talent is Universal, Opportunity isn’t’ – a phrase that resonates strongly with the Founder and Chairman, Gary Kirsten.
Kirsten, a former international cricket coach and player, is committed to providing quality sports facilities and coaching opportunities to underprivileged township youth, ensuring they receive the same level of support as their peers in more affluent areas.
“Cricket is our language, but our work goes far beyond the pitch,” he commented. “Ten years ago, I visited Khayelitsha on a fact-finding mission and was shocked not to find a single sports field in the township. It became my mission to establish first-class facilities and coaching that would give kids an equal chance at the game of cricket.
“I’m a perfect example of someone who received every opportunity to explore my talents, and the Trust aims to provide similar opportunities for very talented youngsters, no matter their background.”
The launch event will highlight the social development initiatives that lie at the heart of the Trust’s work, offering a firsthand look at how the CATCH Trust is transforming communities through cricket and beyond.
For more information, please contact tim@catchtrust.org.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
